Regrets? I’ve had a few, admits ex Sheffield United man

Curtis Woodhouse believes that he would still be playing football now, if he’d shown the same dedication as he currently does in boxing.

The former Sheffield United midfielder, now British light welterweight champion, attempts to add the Commonwealth strap on Friday night. He faces Scotsman Willie Lomond, in Glasgow.

“If I’d trained as a footballer as I do as a boxer, I’d still be a player now and achieved more” he told Boxing News.

“Football, I’d train from 10.30-12.30, I’d be home by 1pm and my first stop would be the pub or the bookies.

“I lacked discipline. On paper I had a great career, played in the Premiership represented England at most levels up to Under 21, but it’d be like if Ricky Hatton only won a British title; he’d still have had a great career, but deep down he’d know he underachieved.”

That is one thing Woodhouse has certainly not been guilty of in boxing.

The 34-year-old collected the British belt in February, beating Darren Hamilton in Hull over 12 rounds.

He has kept in peak shape every since, tweeting this week: “Stay ready, so you never have to get ready.”

Beating Commonwealth champion Lomond, 35, on Scottish soil, would be a crowning moment for Ryan Rhodes-trained Woodhouse, who has a W22 L6 career, which started in 2006.

The Driffield-based fighter had an attempt at the Commonwealth belt last year, but lost to Derry Matthews in Liverpool.